Businesses miss gender pay gap reporting deadline
An estimated 1,500 businesses failed to publish their gender pay gaps by the deadline of midnight on 4 April, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Government figures found that more than 10,000 organisations published their gender pay gaps by the deadline.
Wanda Wyporska, executive director of The Equality Trust, said it was “disappointing to see that despite such a long lead-in time some organisations have failed to report their gender pay gap”.
“We have to question why they have not chosen to do so and what message that sends out to the public and to their own employees."
£1.28 billion sitting unused in apprenticeship accounts
A year on from its introduction, analysis from the Open University found that more than £1.28 billion paid by employers for the apprenticeship levy was languishing unspent in National Apprenticeship Service accounts. It revealed a number of barriers preventing employers adopting the levy, with 32% saying the levy was too rigid, and 30% stating the process was too time-consuming. While there was support for the levy in principle, 43% said they would like to see changes.
The best bits of HR magazine in April...
Are we on the cusp of a mental health crisis?
As work becomes increasingly unstable and NHS provision falters under a lack of funding, we asked whether mental health in UK workplaces is heading for a perfect storm.
Home is where the HR is: People strategy at Cath Kidston
We caught up with former people director Alex Snelling to find out how giving a homely feel to operations is key to success for this quintessentially British brand.
An employment tribunal involving a transgender woman whose employee records were kept under her birth name provided food for thought for employers.
Retail and restaurant collapses: HR's role
At a time when high-street chains are collapsing like dominoes, what can HR professionals do to avoid their businesses following suit?